ESSEX COUNTY — The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ was forced to cancel its planned fifth Hoops Connection trip to Ofakim, Israel, due to the continuing unrest in the region; however, the violence did not stop the program from hosting basketball clinics in another Israeli city.
As previously reported in the News-Record, Hoops Connection, a program that unites Jewish youth basketball players from the United States and Israel to run skills clinics locally and abroad, brought three Israeli teenagers and an Israeli coach to New Jersey to partner with three local teens and a local coach in the third week in July.
Although skills clinics were planned to be held in Ofakim, Hoops Connection moved its activities to Arad, a Southern Israeli city relatively unaffected by the rocket firings from Hamas. For the past month, Israel and Hamas, which is based in Gaza, have been engaged in war.According to the federation’s Israel and Overseas Associate Randi Brokman, three all-day clinics were held from July 29 through July 31.
During that time approximately 50 children from grades three through eight, including 25 from Ofakim, were able to take part in high-energy drills in addition to trips to the pool and other fun activities, Brokman told the News-Record in an Aug. 1 phone interview.
The clinics were run by West Orange coach Craig Goldman and Israeli coach Meir Dayan along with Israeli players Afik Edri, Matan Kabassa and Orel Sananes, Brokman said. Because the current situation is so hazardous in Israel, U.S. players Sam Berkley of Maplewood, Eden Cohen of Springfield and Nadav Adler of West Orange did not go on the trip, she said. Though this deeply disappointed both the U.S. and Israeli teens, Brokman said the local boys’ welfare could not be put at risk.
“I know that they were very saddened by the decision not to run the camp,” Brokman said. “But I would say their parents were happy that we made that decision. The situation is so fluid and so dangerous right now that we could not ensure their safety.”
In a statement released to the News-Record, Goldman said he missed working with his U.S. players but was thrilled that the program was able to be held in Israel, where he was visiting. He said he is already excited for next year.
“As soon as I heard Meir was planning to run the camp, my son Seth and I headed south by car, train and bus to Arad,” Goldman said. “It was wonderful to see a large number of kids who I have worked with for the past three summers back at the camp. They looked forward to the program, and it was truly rewarding.
“Hamas could not stop Hoops Connection,” Goldman added.
But the program would never have happened in Israel this year if it were not for Dayan. According to Brokman, Dayan scrambled to arrange for a replacement gymnasium and transportation for the Ofakim participants in just a matter of days. For the Israeli coach, however, the effort was worthwhile in that it helped the children, many of whom live under siege.
“Camp ran very well,” Dayan said in a statement released to the News-Record. “The children really enjoyed it immensely, especially because we did not give up under the present circumstances.”
As for next summer, Brokman said there is “no question” that Hoops Connection will be held for a sixth year. In fact, due to the success of the Arad clinics she said the program might even expand to two locations in Israel.
“Maybe something even better will come out of this,” Brokman said. “Maybe they will do one week in Ofakim and one week in Arad. We will have to see about that.”
